Obituary for Katherine Louise Harcourt (Kirwin)
Harcourt, Katherine L. (nee Kirwin)
The youngest of twin daughters born to earthly life January 22, 1930, was lovingly carried by angels into the arms of Jesus on July 19, 2020 due to COVID-19. A child of the Depression, Kathy overcame many challenges just to reach adulthood, including a lifelong heart murmur, diphtheria, and learning disabilities. These difficulties created a wonderfully resilient woman who could diagnose almost any illness in each of her six children before seeing the doctor and filled her heart with love for everyone she encountered.
Born in Alton, IL, Kathy lived for many years in East St. Louis, IL. Joining with her sisters and brother, she was a member of the East St. Louis, IL Blanche Sandler Chorus and Opera Company where she became a prolific Soprano and loved to sing Italian operas. It was during this time that she met and married the love of her life, the late Roy W. Harcourt. Roy’s business would take them from St. Louis to Chicago and finally Milwaukee where together they raised six children and instilled a passion for music and love of family. In their later years, Kathy and Roy moved to Springfield, MO to live near other members of the family. Widowed at the age of 56, Kathy reinvented herself by gaining paid employment, acquiring her driver’s license for the first time, and caring for dozens of children until retirement at age 79.
In addition to her parents Arthur and Kathryn Kirwin, Kathy was preceded in death by her husband Roy, her brothers James and Charles (Kayo), her sisters Mary, Ione, and twin Kathleen (Sissy). She will be forever loved by her children: Mark (Lauren) of Fredericksburg, VA, Diane Kelley of St. Louis, MO, Cindy (Chris LaMear) of St. Louis, MO, Jackie (Al Spalsbury) of West Bend, WI, Scott (Terri) of Wrightstown, WI and Roy of Ozark, MO and seventh child, Pam Fizer of Springfield, MO. She will forever be in the hearts of her grandchildren Kristopher Kelley (fiancé Brently), Nic (Sherry) Harcourt, Sean Harcourt, Andy (Lacey) Harcourt, Edwin (Chris) Harcourt, Matt Hearring, Elizabeth Harcourt (fiancé Nicolas), and Taylor Harcourt. Her great-grandchildren Lexie, Cadie and Isaiah Harcourt will forever adore their GG Grandma. Kathy is also loved and missed by more than 50-year friends Adrienne Brummett and Terry and Kathy Voss. Further loved and adored by “grandchildren” Elizabeth (Tom) Henry and Jeremy LaMear. She was also cherished by many nephews, nieces and their spouses and children from a large extended Irish family.
Kathy loved to cook, was an avid St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Green Bay Packers fan, and enjoyed the company of children. During the Cuban Missile Crisis she served as an Air Raid Warden. Over the years she was a Den Mother, Troop Leader, PTA leader, classroom aide, bake sale champion, Halloween candy apple queen, and patron of the arts … especially the backyard/garage/basement productions of her children and neighborhood kids. A woman of faith, Kathy’s mission was to care for the sick and those left alone, especially in nursing homes in northwest Milwaukee. Raised and married in the Catholic Church, Kathy was later a member of Good Hope United Methodist Church in Milwaukee, WI and Wesley United Methodist Church in Springfield, MO where she lent her beautiful operatic voice to the choir.
The family would like to thank the staff of The Gardens Assisted Living in Springfield, MO for their three years of love and care of Kathy, as well as Manor Grove and Mercy Hospice in St. Louis, MO for their final compassionate care.
“Bless their heart!”
A visitation will be held from 2-4 pm Sunday, July 26, 2020 at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E. Walnut Street, Springfield, Missouri.
Per the family's request, Katherine's funeral services will be private. Burial will take place at Springfield National Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. They serve 5000 children annually in foster care, including adoptions and children with disabilities. Online: https://www.lsswis.org/donate or mail to LSS of WI and Upper MI, PO Box 88868, Milw., WI 53288 or another is "Caring for Kids" supporting hundreds of children annually in foster care and involved with the St. Louis County Family Court, emphasis is providing beds to get children into relatives' homes and out of foster care. Online: https://www.caringforkids-stl.org
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.
The youngest of twin daughters born to earthly life January 22, 1930, was lovingly carried by angels into the arms of Jesus on July 19, 2020 due to COVID-19. A child of the Depression, Kathy overcame many challenges just to reach adulthood, including a lifelong heart murmur, diphtheria, and learning disabilities. These difficulties created a wonderfully resilient woman who could diagnose almost any illness in each of her six children before seeing the doctor and filled her heart with love for everyone she encountered.
Born in Alton, IL, Kathy lived for many years in East St. Louis, IL. Joining with her sisters and brother, she was a member of the East St. Louis, IL Blanche Sandler Chorus and Opera Company where she became a prolific Soprano and loved to sing Italian operas. It was during this time that she met and married the love of her life, the late Roy W. Harcourt. Roy’s business would take them from St. Louis to Chicago and finally Milwaukee where together they raised six children and instilled a passion for music and love of family. In their later years, Kathy and Roy moved to Springfield, MO to live near other members of the family. Widowed at the age of 56, Kathy reinvented herself by gaining paid employment, acquiring her driver’s license for the first time, and caring for dozens of children until retirement at age 79.
In addition to her parents Arthur and Kathryn Kirwin, Kathy was preceded in death by her husband Roy, her brothers James and Charles (Kayo), her sisters Mary, Ione, and twin Kathleen (Sissy). She will be forever loved by her children: Mark (Lauren) of Fredericksburg, VA, Diane Kelley of St. Louis, MO, Cindy (Chris LaMear) of St. Louis, MO, Jackie (Al Spalsbury) of West Bend, WI, Scott (Terri) of Wrightstown, WI and Roy of Ozark, MO and seventh child, Pam Fizer of Springfield, MO. She will forever be in the hearts of her grandchildren Kristopher Kelley (fiancé Brently), Nic (Sherry) Harcourt, Sean Harcourt, Andy (Lacey) Harcourt, Edwin (Chris) Harcourt, Matt Hearring, Elizabeth Harcourt (fiancé Nicolas), and Taylor Harcourt. Her great-grandchildren Lexie, Cadie and Isaiah Harcourt will forever adore their GG Grandma. Kathy is also loved and missed by more than 50-year friends Adrienne Brummett and Terry and Kathy Voss. Further loved and adored by “grandchildren” Elizabeth (Tom) Henry and Jeremy LaMear. She was also cherished by many nephews, nieces and their spouses and children from a large extended Irish family.
Kathy loved to cook, was an avid St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Green Bay Packers fan, and enjoyed the company of children. During the Cuban Missile Crisis she served as an Air Raid Warden. Over the years she was a Den Mother, Troop Leader, PTA leader, classroom aide, bake sale champion, Halloween candy apple queen, and patron of the arts … especially the backyard/garage/basement productions of her children and neighborhood kids. A woman of faith, Kathy’s mission was to care for the sick and those left alone, especially in nursing homes in northwest Milwaukee. Raised and married in the Catholic Church, Kathy was later a member of Good Hope United Methodist Church in Milwaukee, WI and Wesley United Methodist Church in Springfield, MO where she lent her beautiful operatic voice to the choir.
The family would like to thank the staff of The Gardens Assisted Living in Springfield, MO for their three years of love and care of Kathy, as well as Manor Grove and Mercy Hospice in St. Louis, MO for their final compassionate care.
“Bless their heart!”
A visitation will be held from 2-4 pm Sunday, July 26, 2020 at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E. Walnut Street, Springfield, Missouri.
Per the family's request, Katherine's funeral services will be private. Burial will take place at Springfield National Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. They serve 5000 children annually in foster care, including adoptions and children with disabilities. Online: https://www.lsswis.org/donate or mail to LSS of WI and Upper MI, PO Box 88868, Milw., WI 53288 or another is "Caring for Kids" supporting hundreds of children annually in foster care and involved with the St. Louis County Family Court, emphasis is providing beds to get children into relatives' homes and out of foster care. Online: https://www.caringforkids-stl.org
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.